Paleo diet
Paleo Diet
The Paleo Diet (pronounced: /ˈpeɪlioʊ ˈdaɪət/), also known as the Paleolithic Diet, the Caveman Diet, or the Stone Age Diet, is a modern nutritional plan based on the presumed dietary habits of Paleolithic humans. The term "Paleo Diet" was coined by Gastroenterologist Walter L. Voegtlin in the 1970s.
Etymology
The term "Paleo Diet" is derived from the Paleolithic era, a period lasting approximately 2.5 million years that ended about 10,000 years ago with the development of agriculture. The word "diet" comes from the Greek "diaita," which means "way of life."
Description
The Paleo Diet is based on foods that were presumably available to Paleolithic humans. This includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds — foods that in the past could be obtained by hunting and gathering. The diet excludes foods that became common when farming emerged, such as dairy products, legumes, and grains.
Related Terms
- Hunter-Gatherer: An anthropological term referring to human beings who obtain their food by hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants and other edibles.
- Evolutionary Nutrition: A theoretical framework that relies on understanding human evolutionary history to construct recommendations for human diet.
- Ketogenic Diet: A high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that forces the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates.
Criticism
Critics of the Paleo Diet argue that it is difficult to confirm the specific dietary practices of Paleolithic humans and that the diet may not provide all the necessary nutrients. They also point out that Paleolithic humans may have consumed grains and legumes that are excluded from the Paleo Diet.
See Also
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